West Brom 2 Newcastle 2: Clark and Evans own goal earn Magpies important point

West Brom v Newcastle: Salomon Rondon has an effort at goal for the Baggies

Managerless Albion looked set for a crucial three points after Hal Robson-Kanu headed them in front in first-half stoppage time then teenager Sam Field made it two shortly after the break.

With Alan Pardew set to be named as West Brom’s new boss any time soon, it appeared stand-in manager Gary Megson was signing off in style.

But just two minutes after Field’s closerange finish, the Baggies allowed Ciaran Clark to pull one back with a free header from a corner.

And on 83 minutes the Toon were level when Matt Ritchie drilled in a low free-kick and the ball deflected in off Jonny Evans.

It was just reward for Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, who was clearly getting to the end of his tether with his under-performing side as he made five changes from the side which went down 3-0 at home to Watford.

Every Premier League team ranked by how long they've kept the ball in play this season

WHICH Premier League teams keep the ball in play most?

1 / 20

GETTY

20. West Ham - 53 minutes and 34 seconds

Among the casualties were Jonjo Shelvey and keeper Rob Elliot as Benitez tried to inject some life into his flagging side.

In fairness, they started lively enough and a Ritchie cross caused a real scare when Ahmed Hegazi took it out of keeper Ben Foster’s hands, but Albion got lucky with no major damage done.

Then the visitors had to survive a couple of jittery moments – none more so than when Salomon Rondon sent in a dipping 25-yarder which cleared Karl Darlow but struck the angle of the post and bar.

Robson-Kanu then should have done better with a close range header. But the Wales striker made no mistake right on the stroke of half-time when he powered a header home from six yards after a sweeping move.

Newcastle were dealt another body blow early in the second half when local lad Field banged in his first senior goal with a close range shot from Matt Phillips’ centre.

But unlike on Saturday Newcastle refused to lay down and within two minutes had pegged Albion back when Clark climbed unchallenged to power home a Ritchie corner.

And it was Ritchie who forced the equaliser when his free-kick was deflected in for the Evans own goal.